On the 24th of September (Sunday), Taylor’s
University Pharmacy Student Society organized our very first VIP Charity Run in
collaboration with Great Heart Charity Association. VIP stands for V Inspire People and the theme of the run was “Breaking Bubbles, Spreading
Hope”. One of the aims of the run was to raise awareness on depression and the
theme “Breaking Bubbles, Spreading Hope” was chosen to encourage others to
break out of their comfort zones and start reaching out to those struggling
with depression whilst giving them hope.
The head committees of the run came up with the idea to have
a run in July, which gave them only two months to prepare for the run. The
event was first introduced through social media on the 28th of July
and from then onwards, the committees work long and hard to make sure the event
was a success. Throughout the preparation, they faced many challenges such as
getting approval from authorities, abiding to sponsorship requirements and
reaching the target participants. Nevertheless, they never gave up and worked
together to ensure that the event would still continue.
As the day of the event got closer, the marketing team
creatively produced posters after posters to count down the day to the run and
even created a promotional video to get the participants hyped up and excited
for the run.
racekit collection booth 2 days before run day
When D-DAY finally arrived, the committees gathered
diligently at 5.30am to set up the booths and to make sure all was in order
before the event started. Registration and race kit collection opened at 6.00am
and by 7.00am, the carpark area in front of Taylor’s University’s sports
complex was filled with participants who couldn’t wait for the adrenaline rush.
preparation of depression booth
preparation of photobooth
registration booth
preparation of registration booth
Wellchem sponsor booth
7.00am marked the time for the dynamic stretching routine to
begin, however, the committees faced a technical problem whereby the PA system
could not be set up in time. Luckily,
they were quick on their feet and asked the first aiders of St. John Ambulance
if they could borrow their speakers to start off the event. Being as helpful as
ever, the first aiders agreed and the MCs officially started the event with the
dynamic stretching routine.
Committees leading the dynamic stretching session
The Mcs using the St. John Ambulance's van speakers
Our superb Mcs
By 7.30am the participants gathered at the starting point
and once the air horn was blasted through the air the participants were far and
away. Throughout the run route, the participants would have to cross two
checkpoints and one water station. Committees and helpers were placed along the
route to guide the participants and to cheer them on while some of the
committees were waiting at the finish line to congratulate them for making it
till the end. Finisher medals were given out at the finishing line to the top
100 female and 100 male finishers.
Participants getting ready
Participants gathering at starting point
Participants at starting line waiting for air horn to be blasted
Finally flag off!!!
run run run!
preparation of water booth
Checkpoint
"Yay I finish!"
Almost there!
"Did I win???"
Participants supporting each other to reach the finishing line
Participants racing to finish before the other
St. John Ambulance's first aiders at work
Red bull ambassadors were also waiting at the finish line to
give out cans of red bull to each participant to quench their thirst after the
long and tiring 5km run.
"Do you want some redbull?"
By 9.00am, all the participants reached the finish line and
most of them were already enjoying their time taking pictures at the photo
booth and playing with bubbles. At the same time, the booth for goodie bag
collection opened and participants were thrilled to receive all the vouchers it
contained.
Prize giving ceremony for the top 10 male and top 10 female
commenced at 9.15am. It started with opening speeches by
Ms Mew Wai from Great Heart Charity Association, followed by our lecturer, Dr.
Jason Loo.
Jumpshot!
Dr. Jason giving his speech
Our lecturer, Dr. Narendra who supported us
Ms. Mew Wai from Great Heart Charity Association giving her opening speech
Wellchem employes who ran to support us
Our lecturer, Dr. Renukha who supported us
Goodie bags
The top 3 finishers were gifted with an extra hamper and
while the rest were gifted a special finisher medal that stated what place they
finished the run. In between the prize giving ceremony,
a lucky draw session took place and the lucky winners where definitely beaming
widely as they went up the stage to receive their prize. Finally, by 11.00am,
the MCs wrapped up the event by thanking all the participants for joining the
run despite it being on a Sunday morning where most people would still be
curled up in bed.
Top 10 female winners
Top 10 male winners
Lucky draw winner
Lucky draw winner
Special top 10 male and female medals
All the prizessss
Last but not least, a special thanks to all the organizing
committees who did not give up on the event despite all the obstacles that were
faced and for all the commitment that they put into this event to make certain
it would be a success. It’s safe to say
that no matter how small or big each of their contribution was, it made a
difference, so THANK YOU, for this event would not have been possible if not
for them!
💓 Our lovely committees 💓
Also, a million thanks to Dr. Jason Loo for being there for
the organizing committee every step of the way and offering all his advices and
time to make this event a dream come true. No words can describe how grateful
we are to have you as our lecturer and advisor.
And of course not forgetting our photographer, Moses Lim , thank you for the awesome pictures of VIP Charity
Run 2017. For more pictures of his work, please visit his FB page, Moses Lim
Photography at https://www.facebook.com/moseslimphotography/
And really
really last but not least, thank you to all our official sponsors for believing
in us and to the first aiders of St. John Ambulance for the excellent support
when it came to helping us start the event and being there for the those
injured during the run.
~Stay tune for VIP CHARITY RUN 2018~
